Parking fee

The parking lots of shopping malls that violate the “first three hours free” decision of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality have been fined 435,807 Turkish Liras over 10 months. The administrative fine was imposed on 32 malls including Akmerkez, Kanyon, Cevahir and Metrocity.

A top level police executive is reported to have driven into a mall in the Şişli district of Istanbul last September and reminded the parking lot employee that it was against the law for them to charge for the first three hours of parking. The police chief told the employee that this was both the decision of the Transportation and Coordination Center (UKOME) and the Council of State (Danıştay).

However, the parking lot employee insisted on the charge. The police chief paid the fee but took the matter to the Istanbul Directorate to the Fight against Fiscal Crimes. Within the framework of the investigation carried out by the office of Istanbul Public Prosecutor, several malls were reported to be violating the rule. A total of 786 written reports were issued for 32 malls including Akmerkez, Kanyon, Cevahir and Metrocity. A total fine of 435,807 liras was imposed in 10 months.